NICKY’S ANGELS DELIGHT
Henderson’s sweet hop
NICKY HENDERSON heads to Kempton boasting a 38 per cent win rate at the Sunbury track this season – with Angels Breath looking to extend that in the Dovecote Hurdle (3.00).
The Unibet ambassador is eager to get more experience into this exciting novice who jumped just four hurdles when winning on his UK debut at Ascot in January.
And there is no doubt his odds – currently 6-1 – for the Supreme will shorten if scoring here.
Scarlet Dragon has plenty of match practice and punters have backed him against the jolly at 5-2 but there is no denying Alan King’s charge is quite well exposed and could be vulnerable to an improver.
Tokay Dokey is unbeaten and brings further intrigue into a great race along with I K Brunel who chased home subsequent Unibet Tolworth Hurdle winner Elixir De Nutz at Cheltenham in December.
Secret Investor heads the betting in the Pendil Novices’ Chase (1.50) and, after saddling eight winners last Saturday and training his 3,000th success on Tuesday, Paul Nicholls is clearly the man to stick with. At the five day entry stage, Unibet laid several large bets on Harry Cobden’s mount who is odds on to beat Bags Groove.
Five horses have completed the Adonis-Triumph Hurdle double since 1998 and this year’s renewal at 2.25 could have an impact on Cheltenham’s juvenile prize if favourite Fusil Raffles can emulate Soldatino who bagged the double for the same connections in 2010.
King has won the last two runnings and saddles recent Doncaster scorer Giving Glances, who receives weight from her male counterparts. She will be suited by the ground, along with Praeceps who looked good at Market Rasen last time and Wayne Hutchinson does the steering once again.
Ten runners go to post in the big betting heat of the day at 3.35 when Glen Rocco bids to follow up his course and distance win of last month.
But a 13lb rise looks harsh and on that basis he is opposable in favour of Rather Be who steps up in trip, will bounce off the ground and has been dropped a pound by the handicapper. There is good flat action at Lingfield where Wissahickon is odds on to provide John Gosden with another Winter Derby (3.15) success.
But Big Country is weighted to reverse form with Master The World so is likely to chase the jolly home.
Encore D’Or was an unlucky second in the Hever Sprint (2.05) last year but can make amends this time round under Luke Morris at 2-1.